Rating: 3🌈
I’ve been a fan of the author and this paranormal series for some time now but Ghostly Bother, the ninth book in the series, didn’t hit as well as the rest of the stories. The storyline, the main characters , the ghost of the plot, everything all came with some sort of flags or issues with the dynamics or functionality in the narrative that bothered me.
One is the mayor Eden, a nasty woman, who took bribes, was a selfish person and, even in the afterlife is a personality bordering on oblivious selfish self interest and cruelty. Spoiler. She walks into the light after being a bad person in both the living and the afterlife. Strike 1.
Because she’s a huge player here in the story and has an enormous role in the next element that put up flags for me.
That’s the relationship dynamic between Lance, who can interact with the ghosts, and Angus, his detective lover who can’t. But Angus, who has lived with his mother and her best friend, also a ghost, is familiar with ghosts and how they can impact the living.
So does he (and author Leya) write into their relationship one of an established understanding and support when Lance is constantly harassed 24/7 by Eden, unable to find rest or do his job? No, instead of the dynamic that’s been built of steady work and love, it’s demolished by one act of lack of respect and understanding. This aspect of the story has little foundation based on the previous books and the relationship the author has been building.
Nor does the quick resolution to this particular problem seem likely or believable. It just doesn’t make sense.
Unfortunately, the book, plot, mystery does feel particularly well written or thought through. It’s a miss for me.
Hopefully the next book will see a return to the original series path.
Cover Art by: Annabella Stone
GHOSTLY SERIES :
Ghostly Awakening
Ghostly Findings
Ghostly Envy
Ghostly Claus
Ghostly Target
Ghostly Hostage
Ghostly Death
Ghostly Dilemma
Ghostly Bother
Ghostly Force (coming soon)
Ghostly Grandma (coming soon)
Buy link;
Blurb
When the mayor of Fairway is killed, Angus finds himself thrust into a confusing case of bribery and corruption. While many in the city rejoice over the mayor’s death, the investigation is a nightmare for the police.
Lance wants to be supportive, but when the mayor’s ghost figures out Lance can see and hear her, she won’t leave him alone. Insisting they solve the case as soon as possible, she follows him around, bringing chaos to Lance’s usually simple life.
Feeling stress from every angle, both Angus and Lance struggle to handle everything going on without letting it affect their relationship. Everyone is working to close the case, but it isn’t easy when the victim refuses to share information that could lead to her killer.
Someone is hiding something, and it’s up to Angus and Lance to figure out exactly what that is.
- Publisher: E.L. Publishing
- Publication date: July 25, 2025
- Language: English
- Print length: 218 pages
- Book 9 of 9: Ghostly
